A great cast of character actors and a fairly gritty setting makes this B programmer a lot of fun, mixing comedy with society drama and a tough atmosphere surrounding the boxing industry. Victor McLaglen, still hanging in there at the end of the 30s even though he was a fairly recent Oscar winner, plays a boxing champ way past his prime, stuck with ungrateful son Donald Briggs and devoted daughter Nan Grey who turns to coaching the young Tom Brown in hopes of turning him into a champ. Finding out that his son is getting married to the daughter of a wealthy businessman and didn't invite him really stings the exercise prizefighter's pride, but he has something that his son can't take away, true friendship and guts.
McLaglen is shown going through several professions, working as a doorman at a fancy apartment building then later at a nightclub, facing a battle with the bottle over his inability to continue in the profession he loves. William Frawley is his best friend, giving his typically lovable old grouch performance, and stealing everything he's in. Like Barbara Stanwyck in "Stella Dallas", McLaglen stands outside as his son is married, alongside daughter Grey, but there's no tears to be had. Funny and fast moving, the great performances helps get this through the moderate cliches.
McLaglen is shown going through several professions, working as a doorman at a fancy apartment building then later at a nightclub, facing a battle with the bottle over his inability to continue in the profession he loves. William Frawley is his best friend, giving his typically lovable old grouch performance, and stealing everything he's in. Like Barbara Stanwyck in "Stella Dallas", McLaglen stands outside as his son is married, alongside daughter Grey, but there's no tears to be had. Funny and fast moving, the great performances helps get this through the moderate cliches.
